Ritter Signs Property Tax Hike, Sticks Finger in Taxpayer Eyes

Colorado taxpayers should remember yesterday – May 9. Governor Bill Ritter signed S.B. 199, which includes a huge property tax increase. He refused to ask for a vote of the people. He stuck a finger in your eye. Have we so soon forgotten Referendum C? It’s little more than arrogance, sheer arrogance, my friends.

More:

– Rocky Mountain News: “Plain and simple, TABOR says all tax increases have to go before a vote of the people,” Jon Caldara, president of the Independence Institute, said in a release Wednesday.

“Those in charge at the Capitol very easily could have asked first before hiking property taxes,” said Caldara.

“Instead, they’ve thumbed their noses at the voters and the constitution.”

– Colorado Senate News: “It’s not clear if our new governor is more naive or stubborn in pushing ahead with this thing,” said Senate GOP leader Andy McElhany. “He is asking taxpayers for $1.7 billion over the next 10 years, only, he’s not asking for their permission.”

– Denver Post: Dick Wadhams, head of the state Republican Party, said GOP candidates will use the issue in the 2008 elections.

– Grand Junction Sentinel: Jon Caldara, president of the conservative Independence Institute think tank, told the Associated Press he plans to mount a constitutional challenge to the governorâ€™s mill-levy freeze. He said Senate Bill 199 should go to voters under the Taxpayerâ€™s Bill of Rights.

â€œThis is basically fiscal date rape,â€ Caldara said. â€œThis is about asking the people first.â€

– Pueblo Chieftain: “This has absolutely nothing to do with the money, it has to do with asking voters before a tax increase,” Caldara said. “That’s the insult here. The idea that the state’s going to get $1.7 billion in the next decade without asking first is just an absolute affront to the citizens of Colorado.”

– Colorado Springs Gazette: What is unknown is what will happen to $41 million in new revenue that is not earmarked yet. The entire package soon may be targeted by a lawsuit from critics who say the bill is illegal.